Remote Control Device with Integrated Display Screen for Controlling a Digital Video Recorder

ABSTRACT

A remote control for a digital video recorder includes an integrated display screen configured to display a recording list including programs scheduled to be recorded.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/916,635, filed Jul. 27, 2001, for REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE WITHINTEGRATED DISPLAY SCREEN FOR CONTROLLING A DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/285,086,filed Apr. 19, 2001, for MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAY SCREEN FOR A HYBRIDCOMMUNICATOR/REMOTE CONTROL, both applications of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of digital videorecording. More specifically, the present invention relates to a remotecontrol device with an integrated display screen for controlling adigital video recorder.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED BACKGROUND ART

Traditionally, video cassette recorders (VCRs) have been used to recordtelevision programs on inexpensive video tapes for time-shiftingpurposes, i.e. for recording and playing back television programs atmore convenient times. Today, however, VCRs are being replaced bydigital video recorders (DVRs), which digitally record televisionprograms within mass storage devices, such as hard disk drives. DVRs aresuperior to VCRs in that no video tapes are required. Moreover, DVRsoften provide a higher recording quality and are easier to use thanVCRs.

A DVR typically displays a user interface (UI) on an attached televisionfor viewing available programming, selecting programs to record,managing recording selections, etc. For instance, the UI typicallyprovides an electronic program guide (EPG), which is an on-screenlisting of available television programs for recording by the DVR.Often, the EPG may be used to interactively select programs to berecorded.

Unfortunately, conventional DVR UIs have a number of problems. Forexample, many such UIs tend to occupy a substantial portion of thetelevision screen, or even the entire screen, so that a viewer cannotsimultaneously view television programs and look at an EPG listing ormake recording selections. This is especially problematic when a groupof viewers are watching television, some of whom are intenselyinterested in the currently displayed program, while others wish to seewhat other programs are available.

Consequently, there is a need for a DVR UI that allows a user to viewprogramming options, make recording selections, and the like, withoutinterfering with or obscuring the television program being currentlydisplayed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention are described with referenceto the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system for broadcastingtelevision programs to a number of digital video recorders (DVRs);

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a remote control for a DVR including anintegrated display screen;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of physical components of oneembodiment of a DVR;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of physical components of a remotecontrol for a DVR including an integrated display screen;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of logical components of a systemfor digital recording and playback using a remote control with anintegrated display screen; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for digital recording and playbackusing a remote control with an integrated display screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention solves the foregoing problems and disadvantageswith a system and method for providing programming information andcontrol for a digital video recorder (DVR) using a remote control withan integrated display screen. In certain embodiments, the DVR may beintegrated with a set top box (STB) for cable or satellite deliverysystem. Alternatively, the DVR may work with a separate STB to receivetelevision programming.

In one embodiment, the display screen of the remote control is used todisplay a user interface (UI) for the DVR. The UI may include anelectronic program guide (EPG), which displays a listing of availableprograms to be recorded by the DVR. In certain embodiments, the EPG mayallow a user to interactively select programs to be recorded by the DVR.

The UI may also display a list of programs scheduled to be recorded(e.g., a recording list), a list of programs successfully recorded andavailable for playback (e.g., a play list), and various menus andcontrols for operating and configuring a DVR.

Because the UI of the present invention is shown on the display screenof the remote control rather than the television screen, a user maywatch a television program while simultaneously viewing programmingchoices, selecting programs to record, managing recording tasks,changing DVR settings, etc.

While the following specification makes particular reference to videorecording, those skilled in the art will recognize that audio programs,such as Internet radio, DMX music, and the like, may be similarlyrecorded using the techniques disclosed herein. Thus, a digital videorecorder, as contemplated herein, may record various types of audio andvideo media. Moreover, “television programs” may be read more generallyto encompass various types of audio-only and audio/video content, suchas streaming audio/video, video-on-demand (VoD), pay-per-view (PPV),audio book channels, non-video music channels, etc.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearancesof the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in variousplaces throughout this specification are not necessarily all referringto the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In thefollowing description, numerous specific details are provided, such asexamples of programming, user selections, network transactions, databasequeries, database structures, etc., to provide a thorough understandingof embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art willrecognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one ormore of the specific details, or with other methods, components,materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, oroperations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuringaspects of the invention.

Throughout the following disclosure, the term “coupled” may be used torefer to components that are either directly connected to one another orlinked by one or more other components. Thus, as used herein, the term“coupled” may be synonymous with “in electrical communication with” orsimply “in communication with.”

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a system 100 for broadcastingtelevision programs via a broadband communication network 101 to aplurality of digital video recorders (DVRs) 102. The network 101 may beembodied, for example, as a cable television network or a directbroadcast satellite (DBS) network, although other networks are withinthe scope of the invention.

A DVR 102 is a device that is cable of receiving and digitally recordingtelevision programs and other audio/video content. Typically, a DVR 102includes a mass storage device, such as a hard disk drive, for storage.A DVR 102 is also capable of playing back stored programs on an attacheddisplay device, such as a television 104.

In some instances, a DVR 102 may be integrated with a set top box (STB)for decoding content received from the network 101. For example, theDirecTivo® product of Phillips Electronics combines satellite(DirectTV®) reception with digital video recording. Of course, the DVR102 disclosed herein differs from conventional DVRs in several respects,as described in greater detail below. In alternative embodiments, a DVR102 may work with a separate STB to receive decoded programming.

Each DVR 102 may have an associated remote control 106 that providesconvenient remote operation of the DVR 102. The remote control 106 mayuse infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), or other wireless technologiesto transmit control signals to the DVR 102, and optionally to thetelevision 104.

In one embodiment, DVRs 102 are linked to the network 101 via abroadcast center 110. In the context of a cable network, the broadcastcenter 110 may take the form of a head-end. A head-end is generally acentrally-located facility within a community where cable televisionprogramming is received from a satellite downlink or other source andpackaged together for cable transmission to customer homes.

The broadcast center 110 may also be embodied as a satellite broadcastcenter within a DBS system. A DBS system may utilize a small 18-inchsatellite dish (which is an antenna for receiving a satellite broadcastsignal). Each DVR 102 may be integrated with a digital integratedreceiver/decoder (IRD), which separates each channel, and decompressesand translates the digital signal from the satellite dish so that thetelevision 104 can show the digital signal. The remote control 106 maythen be used to control the IRD with the integrated DVR 102, andoptionally the television 104.

Programming for a DBS system may be distributed, for example, bymultiple high-power satellites in geosynchronous orbit, each withmultiple transponders. Compression (e.g., MPEG) is used to increase theamount of programming that can be transmitted in the availablebandwidth.

The broadcast centers 110 may be used to gather programming content,ensure its digital quality, and transmit the signal up to thesatellites. Programming may come to the broadcast centers 110 fromcontent providers (CNN, ESPN, HBO, TBS, etc.) via satellite, fiber opticcable and/or special digital tape. Satellite-delivered programming istypically immediately digitized, encrypted and uplinked to the orbitingsatellites. The satellites retransmit the signal back down to everyearth-station, e.g., every compatible DBS system receiver dish atcustomers' homes and businesses.

Some programs may be recorded on digital videotape in the broadcastcenter 110 to be broadcast later. Before any recorded programs areviewed by customers, technicians may use post-production equipment toview and analyze each tape to ensure audio and video quality. Tapes maythen be loaded into a robotic tape handling systems, and playback may betriggered by a computerized signal sent from a broadcast automationsystem. Back-up videotape playback equipment may ensure uninterruptedtransmission at all times.

Regardless of the nature of the network 101, the broadcast centers 110may be coupled directly to one another or through the network 101. Inalternative embodiments, broadcast centers 110 may be connected via aseparate network, one particular example of which is the Internet 112.The Internet 112 is a “network of networks” and is well known to thoseskilled in the art. Communication over the Internet 112 is accomplishedusing standard protocols, such as TCP/IP (Transmission ControlProtocol/Internet Protocol) and the like.

The network 101 is preferably coupled to one or more televisionprogramming sources 114, which provide television programs fordistribution to the DVRs 102. In one configuration, television programsare distributed in an encoded format, such as MPEG (Moving PictureExperts Group). Various MPEG formats are known, such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4,MPEG-7, and the like. Thus, the term “MPEG,” as used herein,contemplates all MPEG formats. Moreover, other video encoding andcompression standards exist other than MPEG, such as JPEG, JPEG-LS,H.261, and H.263 and are contemplated herein. Accordingly, the inventionshould not be construed as being limited only to MPEG.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an interactive television system200 according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted, the system200 may include a DVR 102, a television 104 (or other display device),and a remote control 106.

The remote control 106 is provided for convenient remote operation ofthe DVR 102 and optionally, of the television 104. In one configuration,the remote control 106 includes a wireless transmitter 202 forcommunicating with a corresponding wireless receiver 204 within the DVR102. Likewise, the remote control 106 includes a wireless receiver 204for receiving signals from a wireless transmitter 202 within the DVR102. In one embodiment, the wireless transmitters 202 and receivers 204are configured to use radio frequency (RF) signals. In otherembodiments, infrared (IR) or other frequencies along theelectromagnetic spectrum may be used. The wireless transmitter 202 andwireless receiver 204 may operate according to the IEEE 802.11a or802.11b Wireless Networking standards, the “Bluetooth” standard, theIrDA standard, etc. Moreover, the wireless transmitter 202 and wirelessreceiver 204 may include various additional components not specificallyillustrated but well known in the art, such as a non-directionalantenna. The antenna may comprise a substantially two-dimensional metalstructure formed on a printed circuit board for the remote control 106.

The remote control 106 preferably includes a number of buttons or othersimilar controls for receiving user commands. For instance, the remotecontrol 106 may include a power button 206, an up arrow button 208, adown arrow button 210, a left arrow button 212, a right arrow button214, an “EPG” button 216, channel adjustment buttons 218, volumeadjustment buttons 220, and alphanumeric buttons 224. Each of thealphanumeric buttons 224 may be associated with a set of alphabetcharacters 230 for entering text into the remote control 106 without anexternal keyboard.

In one embodiment, the remote control 106 includes a display screen 250.The display screen 250 may be of any suitable type, including a liquidcrystal display (LCD), liquid plasma display, or organicelectroluminescent (OEL) display. If desired, the display screen 250 maybe backlit for enhanced picture quality and viewing in a darkenvironment. Additionally, the display screen 250 may be color ormonochromatic in various embodiments.

The display screen 250 may also be configured as a touch screen capableof sensing user contact. If a touch screen 250 is used, “soft buttons”may be displayed on the screen 250 so that a user may simply press thedesignated portion of the screen 250 to initiate a command. Such ascreen 250 may make one or more of the buttons 208-224 unnecessary.

Alternatively, the screen 250 may be configured to display “soft menus,”or selections that cannot be directly activated using the screen 250,but can be easily correlated to physical buttons of the remote control106. Thus, several selections may correspond to relatively few physicalbuttons, and one or more of the buttons 208-224 may again beunnecessary.

In one implementation, the display screen 250 is used to display a userinterface (UI) for controlling the DVR 102. Traditionally, such a UI isdisplayed on the television 104, although the television program beingviewed either is partially or wholly obscured by the UI.

The UI may include electronic program guide (EPG) 252, which listsavailable television programs capable of being received and recorded bythe DVR 102. The EPG 252 may be displayed in response to user activationof the “EPG” button 216 or other suitable control.

In one embodiment, the EPG 252 is displayed in a grid or columnar formatincluding a first axis corresponding to channels 254, a second axiscorresponding to time slots 256, and a plurality of selectable elementscorresponding to television programs 258. The EPG 252 may be configuredto simultaneously display available programs 258 corresponding to one ormore channels 254 and/or one or more time slots 256. In one embodiment,the navigation buttons 208-214 may be used to scroll the EPG 252horizontally or vertically to reveal additional channels 254 and/or timeslots 256.

An indicator 259 such as reverse video, highlighting, underlining, colordifferentiation, graphical icon, or the like, may be used to indicatewhich of the television programs 258 is currently selected. The user maythus utilize the navigation buttons 208-214, the alphanumeric buttons224, direct contact with the screen 250, or the like, to move theindicator 259 to designate a selected television program 258, e.g.,“M*A*S*H” in FIG. 2.

The remote control 106 may also include a “record current” button 262, a“play selection” button 264, and a “record selection” button 266. The“record current” button 262 may be used to record a television programcurrently being displayed on the TV 104. The “play selection” button 264may be used to play the selected television program 258 if previouslyrecorded or in progress. Similarly, the “record selection” button 266may be used to record the selected television program 258 when it isbroadcast.

Additionally, the remote control 106 may have a “play list” button 268and a “recording list” button 270. The “play list” button 268 may beused to display a play list 269 on the display screen 250, or a list oftelevision programs 258 that have been successfully recorded and areready for playback. In certain configurations, as shown in FIG. 2, theplay list 269 may indicate the name, channel, and starting time for eachrecorded television program 258.

The “recording list” button 270 may similarly be used to display arecording list 271, or a list of television programs 258 that have beenscheduled for recording. Like the play list 269, the recording list 271may indicate the name, channel, and starting time for each recordedtelevision program 258.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a physical block diagram of aDVR 102 according to an embodiment of the invention. As noted above, theDVR 102 includes a wireless receiver 204 for receiving control signalsfrom the wireless transmitter 202 in the remote control 106.Additionally, the DVR 102 includes a wireless transmitter 202 fortransmitting information to the wireless receiver 204 of the remotecontrol 106.

The DVR 102 also includes, in one implementation, a network interface302 for communicating with the broadband communication network 101 via abroadcast center 110. The interface 302 may include conventional tuning,demodulating, and demultiplexing circuitry for receiving MPEG (MovingPicture Experts Group) packets corresponding to a selected MPEG channel.

If the DVR 102 communicates with a cable head-end, the interface 302 mayconform to the DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification)or DAVIC (Digital Audio-Visual Council) cable modem standards. If theDVR 102 communicates with a satellite broadcast center, suitableequipment may be provided for satellite communication.

One or more frequency bands (for example, from 5 to 30 MHz) may bereserved for upstream transmission. Digital modulation (for example,quadrature amplitude modulation or vestigial sideband modulation) may beused to send digital signals in the upstream transmission. Of course,upstream transmission may be accomplished differently for differentnetworks 101. Alternative ways to accomplish upstream transmissioninclude using a back channel transmission, which is typically sent viaan analog telephone line, ISDN, DSL, or other techniques.

In one embodiment, the DVR 102 includes a codec (encoder/decoder) 304.The codec 304 may be used to decode television programs received fromthe network 101. The codec 304 may also be used to encode televisionprograms for storage in the storage device 310. The codec 304 may useMPEG encoding/decoding or other algorithms. While the codec 304 isillustrated as a hardware component, software encoding/decoding is alsocontemplated.

The DVR 102 further includes a memory device 306, such as a randomaccess memory (RAM), configured to store data for temporary use.Similarly, a read-only memory (ROM) may be provided for storing morepermanent data, such as fixed code and configuration information.

In one embodiment, an audio/video (NV) controller 308 is provided forconverting decoded audio/video information into analog signals fordisplay/playback on the television 104 or other device. The NVcontroller 308 may be implemented using one or more physical devices,such as separate graphics and sound controllers.

The DVR 102 also includes a storage device 310 configured to storedigitally encoded television broadcasts, which may be subsequentlyretrieved, decoded, and displayed using the codec 304 and the NVcontroller 308, respectively. The storage device 310 may also be used invarious embodiments to store viewer preferences, parental lock settings,electronic program guide (EPG) data, programming preferences, passwords,e-mail messages, and the like. In one implementation, the storage device310 also stores an operating system (OS) for the DVR 102, such asWindows CE® or Linux®. The storage device 310 may be implemented usingany standard mass storage device, such as a hard disk drive.

A CPU 312 may control the operation of the DVR 102, including the othercomponents thereof, which are coupled to the CPU 312 via a bus 314. TheCPU 312 may be embodied as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, adigital signal processor (DSP) or other device known in the art. Asnoted above, the CPU 312 may perform logical and arithmetic operationsbased upon control signals generated by the remote control 106 andtransmitted to the receiver 204. Alternatively, the CPU 312 may respondto control signals received through the network interface 302.

Of course, FIG. 3 illustrates only one possible configuration of a DVR102. Those skilled in the art will recognize that various otherarchitectures and components may be provided within the scope of theinvention. In addition, various standard components are not illustratedin order to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic block diagram illustrates physicalcomponents of a remote control 106 according to one embodiment of theinvention. The remote control 106 may include a bus 410 configured totransfer digital signals between the various components of the remotecontrol 106.

The remote control 106 may also include a read-only memory (ROM) 412that contains data to be permanently stored within the remote control106. For example, the ROM 412 may contain an operating system (OS) tocontrol the operation of the remote control 106. The OS may be of acommonly available type, such as Windows CE® or Linux®. The ROM 412 maytake the form of one or more programmable read-only memory (PROM)modules, electrically-erasable PROM (EEPROM) modules, or the like.

Additionally, the remote control 106 preferably includes a random accessmemory (RAM) 414 for storing temporary data. The RAM 414 may store data,for example, for the EPG 252, the play list 269, recording list 271,user preferences, and/or other information relevant to the operation ofthe remote control 106.

Additionally, a CPU 416 may be provided to execute software instructionswithin the RAM 414 and/or the ROM 412. The CPU 416 may be of any knowntype, such as a standard microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signalprocessor (DSP), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor,field programmable gate array (FPGA), or application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC).

A display controller 418 may be provided to control the operation of thedisplay screen 250. As such, the display controller 418 may includegraphics hardware capable of transforming a display signal into a signalusable by the display screen 250 to produce a visual output. The displaycontroller 418 may be adapted to provide a monochromatic or colorpicture, as desired.

The remote control 106 may also have user controls 420, which includethe buttons 206-224, 262-270 described above. The user controls 420 ofthe remote control 106 may also include additional buttons, sliders,switches, touch pads, shuttles, or other devices that may facilitateuser operation of the remote control 106. Other components such as apower supply, backlight for the user controls 420, or the like may alsobe included, as known in the art. Operation of the various components ofthe remote control 106 and the DVR 102 will be described in greaterdetail in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 illustrates logical components of a system 500 for providingprogramming information and control of the DVR 102 via a remote control106 with an integrated display screen 250. The depicted logicalcomponents may be implemented using one or more of the physicalcomponents shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Thus, while certain componentsmay be depicted within the remote control 106, similar components may beembodied within the DVR 102 in other embodiments. Likewise, componentsillustrated within the DVR 102 may be embodied, in certain embodiments,within the remote control 106. Of course, various logical components maybe implemented as software, hardware, or firmware.

In one implementation, the system 500 includes a program list receptioncomponent 510 configured to receive a list 511 of television programs258. The list 511 may contain programs scheduled for broadcast at ornear the current time (e.g., an EPG 252 listing). In the alternative,the list 511 of television programs 258 may be a play list 269 includingtelevision programs 258 that have been stored by the DVR 102, or arecording list 271 including television programs 258 that have beenscheduled for recording.

In any case, the program list reception component 510 may receive thelist 511 from the DVR 102. The list 511, which may include channels,times, program names, program descriptions, credits, and/or otherprogram characteristics, may be then stored in the RAM 414 or othermemory device, through the use of various data structures such as anarray, linked list, or other suitable data structure.

A user selection component 512 may determine the type of program list511 to be received. For example, a user may press the “EPG” button 216,the “play list” button 268, or the “recording list” button 270 to selectan EPG 252, a play list 269, or a recording list 271, respectively. Theuser selection component 512 may be used to perform a variety of otherfunctions, as will be described below.

The remote control 106 may also include a formatting component 516configured to format the list 511 in a manner suitable for display andnavigation by a user. In the case of an EPG 252, the list may beorganized, as previously described, in a grid or columnar formatincluding separate axes corresponding to channels 254 and timeslots 256,and a plurality of selectable elements corresponding to televisionprograms 258.

A searching component 518 may also be provided so that a user can searchfor a specific television program 258. The searching component 518 mayreceive keywords 520 from the user via the user selection component 512.The keywords 520 may include one or more words from the title, programdescription, credits, or other characteristics of the television program258 sought by the user. If desired, the searching component 518 may alsoreceive a selection of one or more fields (i.e., title, programdescription, program classification, etc.) in which the keywords 520 areto be found. The searching component 518 may then search for thekeywords 520 in the list 511 of television programs 258, and may providea list 522 of search results to the formatting component 516 forsubsequent display.

In an alternative embodiment, searching may be carried out by the DVR102 instead of by the remote control 106. More specifically, the usercontrols 420 of the remote 106 may simply be used to obtain the keywords520, which may be transmitted to the DVR 102 for processing by the CPU312 of the DVR 102.

All or part of the list 511 of television programs 258 or the list 522of search results may be displayed on the screen 250 via a displaycomponent 530. The display component 530 may be configured to permit auser to easily change how the list 511 is displayed.

In one embodiment, the user selection component 512 allows the user toselect a television program 258 from the list 511 or the list 522 usingthe buttons 208, 210, 212, 214, 264, 266 shown in FIG. 2. Morespecifically, the navigation buttons 208, 210, 212, 214 may be used tohighlight or otherwise designate one of the television programs 258 ofthe list 511 or the list 522, and the buttons 264, 266 may be used toenter the selection and choose an action to be performed with theselected program. Thus, a selection of a television program and action532, or selection 532, is obtained.

The remote control 106 may also have a parameter modification component534 configured to permit a user to modify his or her selection. Theparameter modification component 534 may operate in conjunction with theuser selection component 512. More specifically, a user may choose tomodify the recording and/or storage parameters of the selection 532.

Recording and storage parameters may include characteristics such as thechannel to be recorded, the starting and ending times of the recording,the recording quality (e.g., compression level, screen format, etc.),the classification of the recording (e.g., action, comedy, favorites,Harrison Ford movies, etc.), and any other parameters relevant to therecording and storage of the television program. The parametermodification component 534 may include the CPU 416 of the remote control106 and/or the CPU 312 of the DVR 102.

The selection 532 may be transmitted by a transmission component 536 toa reception component 540 within the DVR 102. The transmission component536 and the reception component 540 may include the wireless transmitter202 of the remote control 106 and the wireless receiver 204 of the DVR102, respectively. After the selection 532 is received, the DVR 102 mayinitiate several different actions, depending on the selection 532.

If the selection 532 is a current television program (i.e., televisionprogram being broadcast at the time the selection 532 is received) to beplayed 542, the DVR 102 may utilize a television program receptioncomponent 560 to receive the television program 258 of the selection532. The television program 258 may then be displayed on the TV 104 by adisplay component 564.

The television program reception component 560 may operate inconjunction with a program list reception component 566 configured toreceive the list 511 of television programs 258 and optionally,additional programming information, from the network 101. The programlist 511 may be transmitted to the remote control 106 by a program listtransmission component 568 of the DVR 102. The program list 511 and thetelevision programs 258 may be received from the network 101 in anintegrated form, and may be separated by the DVR 102.

If the selection 532 is a recorded television program 258 to be played544, the DVR 102 may initiate retrieval of the television program 258 ofthe selection 532 through the use of a retrieval component 570. Theretrieval component 570 may obtain the television program 258 of theselection 532 from a storage 572 component within the DVR 102. Thetelevision program 258 corresponding to the selection 532 may then berouted to the display component 564 for display on the TV 104.

If the selection 532 is a current television program 258 to be recorded546, the DVR 102 may simply initiate immediate recording of thetelevision program 258 through the use of a recording component 580. Therecording component 580 may receive the selected television program 258and route the television program 258 to the storage 572. If desired, therecording component 580 may convert the television program 258 to aformat more suitable for storage.

Such conversion may involve various compression schemes (e.g., MPEG) todecrease the amount of storage space required to store the televisionprogram 258. The compression scheme used may be subject to userselection through the use of the parameter modification component 534,as described previously.

If the selection 532 is a future television program 258 to be recorded548, the DVR 102 may utilize a scheduling component 582 to schedule therecording to start and stop at the starting and stopping times of thetelevision program 258 of the selection 532. The scheduling component582 may thus maintain an array, linked list, or similar data structurecontaining information such as the names of television programs 258 tobe recorded, the starting and stopping times of the television programs258, the channels from which the television programs 258 are to bereceived, and the like.

A timekeeping component 584 may maintain the current date and time, andmay operate in conjunction with the scheduling component 582 to beginand end recording of television programs 258 at the appropriate times.The timekeeping component 584 may include a system clock (not shown) ofthe DVR 102 or the like. In the alternative, the current time may bereceived periodically from the network 101, to ensure that the time usedby the DVR 102 is accurate and synchronized with the broadcasting timesof the television programs 258.

When activated by the scheduling component 582, the recording component580 may initiate recording of the television program 258 of theselection 532 in much the same manner as described above, in connectionwith a current television program to be recorded 546. The televisionprogram 258 of the selection 532 may be stored in the storage 572 forsubsequent retrieval by the retrieval component 570 and playback by thedisplay component 564.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a flowchart of one possible method600 controlling a DVR 102 using a remote control 106 with an integrateddisplay screen 250. Initially, the remote control 106 may receive 610 auser selection, which may include receiving the selection 532 of FIG. 5.The remote control 106 may then carry out a series of queries 612, 614,616, 618 to determine the nature of the selection 532 and actaccordingly.

The remote control 106 may determine 612 whether or not the user haspressed the “EPG” button 216. If the user has pressed the “EPG” button216, the remote control 106 may then display 630 the list 511 oftelevision programs 258 in the form of an EPG 252, as previouslydescribed. A user may freely navigate through the EPG 252, and mayhighlight or otherwise mark one of the television programs 258 of theEPG 252, as described above.

Next, the remote control 106 may determine 632 whether the “recordselection” button 266 has been pressed. If the “record selection” button266 has been pressed, the remote control 106 or the DVR 102 may thendetermine 640 whether the television program 258 of the selection 532 iscurrently being broadcast. If so, the DVR 102 may immediately begin torecord 642 the television program 258 of the selection 532.

If the television program 258 of the selection 532 is not currentlybeing broadcast, the remote control 106 or the DVR 102 may determine 644whether the television program 258 of the selection 532 is to bebroadcast in the future. If so, the DVR 102 may schedule 646 recordingof the television program 258 at the appropriate future time. If thetelevision program 258 of the selection 532 is not a future broadcast,it must have already ended. Thus, the remote control 106 or the DVR 102may display 648 an error message to indicate that the television program258 is no longer available for recording.

If the “record selection” button 266 has not been pressed, the remotecontrol 106 may determine 660 whether the “play selection” button 264has been pressed. If the “play selection” button 264 has been pressed,the remote control 106 or the DVR 102 may then determine 640 whether thetelevision program 258 of the selection 532 is currently beingbroadcast. If so, the DVR 102 may immediately begin to play 662 thetelevision program 258 of the selection 532 directly from the broadcast.

If the television program 258 of the selection 532 is not currentlybeing broadcast, the remote control 106 or the DVR 102 may determine 664whether the television program 258 of the selection 532 has beenrecorded by the DVR 102. If so, the DVR 102 may retrieve and play 666the television program 258 from the storage 572 of the DVR 102. If thetelevision program 258 of the selection 532 has not been recorded, ithas already ended without being recorded by the DVR 102, or it is afuture broadcast. Thus, the remote control 106 or the DVR 102 maydisplay 668 an error message to indicate that the television program 258is not presently available for playback.

If the “play selection” button 264 has not been pressed, the remotecontrol 106 may then determine 618 whether the “record current” button262 has been pressed. If the “record current” button 262 has beenpressed, the remote control 106 and the DVR 102 need not conduct furtherqueries; rather, the DVR 102 may simply begin to record 670 thetelevision program on the channel currently being viewed on the TV 104.Indeed, the “record current” button 262 may be pressed at any timeduring the method 600 since recording 670 the current television programis not dependent upon the existence of or navigation through the EPG 252of television programs. If desired, the DVR 102 may be configured toautomatically stop recording at the end of the television program 258currently being viewed.

If the “EPG” button 216 has not been pressed, the remote control 106 maydetermine 614 whether the “record list” button 270 has been pushed. Ifthe “record list” button 270 has been pushed, the remote control 106 maydisplay 680 the list 511 of television programs 258 in the form of arecording list 271 that includes only programs that have been scheduledfor recording by the DVR 102. A user may navigate through a recordinglist 271 and highlight or otherwise mark a television program 258 asdescribed above in connection with the EPG 252.

The remote control 106 may then determine 682 whether the user hasselected to modify recording parameters of the television program 258that has been highlighted or otherwise marked. A selection to modify maybe made using a dedicated button (not shown), or through the use of anon-screen menu presented in conjunction with the recording list 271.

If the user has selected to modify the recording parameters, the remotecontrol 106 may receive 684 the user modifications of the recordingparameters of the television program 258 that has been selected, and maythen change 686 the recording schedule maintained by the schedulingcomponent 582 to incorporate the modifications. As mentioned above, therecording parameters may include the channel to be recorded, therecording times, the recording quality, and the like. If the user hasnot selected to modify the recording parameters, the remote control 106may determine 618 whether the user has pushed the “record current”button 262, and may operate as described above.

If the user has not pressed the “EPG” button 216 or the “record list”button 270, the remote control 106 may determine 616 whether the userhas pressed the “play list” button 268. If so, the remote control 106may display 690 a list 511 of television programs 258 in the form of aplay list 269 that contains only television programs 258 that have beenrecorded by the DVR 102. A user may navigate through a play list 269 andhighlight or otherwise mark a television program 258 in much the samemanner as with the EPG 252 or the recording list 271.

The remote control 106 may then determine 692 whether the user hasselected to modify recording parameters of the television program 258that has been highlighted or otherwise marked. A selection to modify maybe made using a dedicated button (not shown), or through the use of anon-screen menu presented in conjunction with the play list. Since theprograms of the play list have already been recorded, only storageparameters, such as recording quality, save/delete status, andclassification, may be altered.

If the user has selected to modify the recording parameters, the remotecontrol 106 may receive 694 the user modifications of the storageparameters of the television program 258 that has been selected, and maythen change 696 the storage parameters of the selected televisionprogram 258 within the storage 572 to incorporate the modifications.

If the user has not selected to modify the storage parameters, theremote control 106 may then determine 660 whether the user has pressedthe “play selection” button 264. If so, the remote control 106 or theDVR 102 may carry out the playback steps and queries 640, 662, 664, 666,668 in much the same manner as with the EPG 252. If not, the remotecontrol 106 may determine 618 whether the “record current” button 262has been pressed, and carry on the following steps as described above.

If none of the determinations 612, 614, 616, 618 are affirmative (i.e.,the user has not pressed any of the buttons 216, 270, 268, 262), theremote control 106 may simply receive 610 another user selection until aproper selection has been received. Various additional controls and/orcommands may be utilized to navigate through menus and lists presentedby the remote control 106, as known in the art. FIG. 6 depicts only onepossible user interface structure for the system 200.

Based on the foregoing, the present invention offers numerous advantagesnot available in conventional approaches. For example, the presentinvention allows the user to easily control the operation of the DVR 102independent of the TV 104; a user may even receive programminginformation and make recording decisions without turning on the TV 104.The remote control 106 may permit a user to perform a variety ofrecording, playback, and modification functions. The user may alsoeasily search for and obtain information regarding desired televisionprograms by interacting only with the remote control 106.

While specific embodiments and applications of the present inventionhave been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to the precise configuration and componentsdisclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations whichwill be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in thearrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of thepresent invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A remote control device for a digital videorecorder, the remote control device comprising: a wireless receiver forreceiving a play list from the digital video recorder, the play listcomprising television programs previously recorded by the digital videorecorder; an integrated display screen for displaying the play list to auser; a plurality of user controls for controlling the digital videorecorder, at least one user control for receiving a selection of atelevision program from the play list displayed on the integrateddisplay screen; and a wireless transmitter for transmitting anindication of the selected television program to initiate playback ofthe selected television program.
 22. The remote control device of claim21, wherein at least one user control is specifically designated fordisplaying the play list on the display screen of the remote controldevice.
 23. The remote control device of claim 21, wherein the wirelessreceiver is further operable to receive a recording list includingtelevision programs scheduled to be recorded by the digital videorecorder; and wherein the display screen is to display the recordinglist to the user.
 24. The remote control device of claim 23, wherein atleast one user control is specifically designated for displaying therecording list on the display screen of the remote control device. 25.The remote control device of claim 21, wherein at least one user controlis configured for navigating the list of television programs to indicatethe selection, and wherein at least one control is configured forinitiating transmission of the selection to a playback device.
 26. Asystem for digital video recording and playback comprising: a digitalvideo recorder comprising: a transmitter for transmitting a play listcomprising indications of television programs previously recorded by thedigital video recorder to a wireless control device for display thereon;a receiver for receiving a selection of a television program displayedin the play list on the wireless control device; and a playbacksubsystem for selectively playing back the selected television program;and a remote control device for the digital video recorder comprising: awireless receiver for receiving the play list of from the digital videorecorder; an integrated display screen for displaying the play list to auser; a plurality of user controls for controlling the digital videorecorder, at least one user control for enabling selection by the userof a television program from the play list; and a wireless transmitterfor transmitting an indication of the selected television program to thedigital video recorder to initiate playback of a previously-recordedcopy of the selected television program.
 27. The system of claim 26,wherein the playback subsystem comprises: an encoder for digitallyencoding a television program in a compressed format; a mass storagedevice for storing the encoded television program; a decoder fordecoding a television program retrieved from the mass storage device;and a display controller displaying the decoded television program on anexternal device.
 28. The system of claim 26, wherein the digital videorecorder is integrated with a set top box (STB) for an interactivetelevision system.
 29. The system of claim 26, wherein the digital videorecorder further comprises: a network interface for receiving televisionprograms from a distribution network.
 30. The system of claim 29,wherein the distribution network comprises a direct satellite broadcast(DBS) network.
 31. The system of claim 29, wherein the network interfaceis further configured to receive the a of upcoming television programsfrom the distribution network.
 32. The system of claim 26, wherein thedisplay screen is further configured to display the list of upcomingtelevision programs as an electronic program guide (EPG).
 33. The systemof claim 32, wherein the EPG is configured as a grid having a pluralityof rows and columns corresponding to channels and timeslots, the rowsand columns forming a plurality of selectable elements corresponding totelevision programs.
 34. The system of claim 32, wherein at least oneuser control is specifically designated for displaying the EPG on thedisplay screen of the remote control.
 35. The system of claim 26,wherein the display screen is further configured to display a recordinglist including television programs scheduled to be recorded by thedigital video recorder.
 36. The system of claim 35, wherein at least oneuser control is specifically designated for displaying the recordinglist on the display screen of the remote control.
 37. The system ofclaim 35, wherein at least one user control is configured to receive auser command to record a selected upcoming television program, andwherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit the usercommand to the digital video recorder.
 38. The system of claim 26,wherein at least one user control is configured to receive a usercommand to play back the selected television program, and wherein thewireless transmitter is configured to transmit the user command.
 39. Thesystem of claim 26, wherein at least one user control is configured fornavigating the play list to indicate the selection, and wherein at leastone control is configured for initiating transmission of the selection.40. A method implemented by a remote control device for interacting witha digital video recorder, the method comprising: receiving a play listfrom the digital video recorder comprising television programspreviously recorded by the digital video recorder; displaying the playlist on a display screen integrated with the remote control device;receiving a user selection of a television program from the play list;and transmitting an indication of the selected television program toinitiate playback of the selected television program.
 41. The method ofclaim 40, further comprising: displaying an electronic program guide(EPG) on the integrated display screen.
 42. The method of claim 40,further comprising: displaying a recording list on the integrateddisplay screen including television programs scheduled to be recorded bythe digital video recorder.
 43. The method of claim 42 furthercomprising: receiving a user command to record a television programselected from the EPG; and transmitting the user command to the digitalvideo recorder.
 44. The method of claim 40, further comprising:receiving a user command to play back the selected television program;and transmitting the user command to the digital video recorder.
 45. Amethod for digital video recording and playback comprising: transmittinga play list from a digital video recorder to a remote control device,the play list comprising television programs previously recorded by thedigital video recorder; displaying the play list on a display screenintegrated with the remote control device: receiving a selection of atelevision program from the play list; transmitting an indication of theselected television program to a playback system; and playing back apreviously recorded copy of the selected television program.
 46. Themethod of claim 45, wherein playing back comprises: retrieving anencoded television program from a mass storage device; decoding theencoded television program; and displaying the decoded televisionprogram on an external device.
 47. The method of claim 45, furthercomprising: receiving, at the digital video recorder, televisionprograms from a distribution network.
 48. The method of claim 45,further comprising: displaying the list of upcoming television programson the integrated display screen an electronic program guide (EPG). 49.The method of claim 45, further comprising: displaying on the integrateddisplay screen a recording list including television programs scheduledto be recorded by the digital video recorder.
 50. A system for remotedigital video playback comprising: a transmitter operable to transmit aplay list comprising indications of video programs previously stored bythe playback system to a wireless control device for display thereon,the wireless control device having an integrated display; a receiveroperable to receive a request for the play list comprising indicationsof video programs available to the wireless control device; and aplayback subsystem operable to play back a selected program to theintegrated display on the wireless control device.
 51. A system forremote digital video playback comprising: a wireless receiver forreceiving a play list of from the digital video recorder; an integrateddisplay screen for displaying the play list to a user; a plurality ofuser controls for controlling the digital video recorder, at least oneuser control for enabling selection by the user of a television programfrom the play list; and a wireless transmitter for transmitting anindication of the selected television program to initiate playback ofthe selected video program on the integrated display screen.